Autoimmune Disease Care & Treatment

At Clancy Medical Group, we believe in treating the whole patient, not just the symptoms you present. We combine a lifestyle approach with the latest medical technology to provide comprehensive, holistic care for true wellness.

What We Treat

Clancy Medical Group provides autoimmune disease testing and counseling. We also offer tools and training to help you manage your condition. We work with you to help you better understand your condition and manage your symptoms through sustainable lifestyle changes.

Important Autoimmune Disease Facts

Your body’s immune system represents its major defense against disease, infection, and other illnesses. When it detects an “invader,” it responds by attacking the invader.

In people with an autoimmune disease, the immune system sees threats where none exist, attacking healthy, normal cells and destroying them. The disease may affect a single organ, or multiple organs, or even be non-organ-specific. There are nearly 150 different autoimmune disorders, affecting nearly every part of the body.

Over 23 million Americans have some sort of autoimmune disease, with women of childbearing age having a greater risk than any other group. There is also a genetic link to some autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis.

Researchers have also found links to some environmental factors that may cause autoimmune diseases or make them worse. Finally, ethnicity plays a role in some autoimmune diseases; lupus is more common among African Americans and Hispanics, while Type 1 diabetes is more common among Caucasians.

Why Should I Choose Clancy Medical Group for Autoimmune Disease Care?

Clancy Medical Group’s holistic approach to medicine is especially important in autoimmune disease care. This is because treating autoimmune disorders requires a well-rounded approach that involves the patient monitoring and managing his or her condition, and we support you each step of the way.

Through careful monitoring after your initial diagnosis, we help you recognize the triggers that cause “flares,” which are the severe and sudden onset of symptoms. Understanding and recognizing these triggers helps you to first avoid them, and second to know what to expect and how to manage symptoms when you are unable to avoid such an occurrence.

At Clancy Medical Group, we help you design and implement lifestyle changes that help manage your condition. This includes a healthy diet, meaning on that avoids processed foods, saturated and trans-fats, and simple carbohydrates. Instead, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and complex, plant-based carbohydrates.

We also encourage patients to adopt a more active lifestyle. Your exercise regimen depends on the type of autoimmune disease you have, so talk to your physician about the best plan for you. Reducing stress also reduces flare-ups, so discovering ways to lower stress helps manage your symptoms. Finally, we enourage you to increase the amount of sleep you get each day, which helps your body rejuvenate and repair itself.

Autoimmune Disease Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if I have autoimmune disease?

Unfortunately, diagnosing an autoimmune disease is a long, sometimes complicated process. This is because, not only do many autoimmune diseases share the same symptoms, they even share the same symptoms with other types of diseases and disorders.

Patients often become frustrated with this process, especially if they feel their doctor isn’t listening to them. Do not give up! Keep trying, even if that means trying out new doctors until you find one with whom you feel comfortable and confident that he or she takes your concerns seriously.

Keep a journal of your symptoms, as well as a family history, and share this with your doctor. If your symptoms seem to center on a specific body part, schedule an appointment with a doctor specializing in that area.

What kind of doctor treats an autoimmune disease?

As autoimmune diseases affect nearly every part of the body, it is common for patients to combine the care of their primary physician along with a specialist, such as a rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, or dermatologist, depending on which part of the body their condition affects.

Are there any medications to treat autoimmune diseases?

You cannot cure your condition with medication, though you can manage its symptoms, such as pain relief, swelling, rashes, and sleep disorders.

There is a wide variety of medications to treat the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. However, many of these medications, such as those designed to suppress the immune system, have severe and serious side effects, such as a highly increased risk of certain cancers. Discuss the risks and benefits of these medications with your physician.

Some diseases, such as diabetes, affect the body’s ability to produce necessary substances like insulin. Medications replace these substances.